A signboard along Pedada Road warning the public against throwing rubbish from their vehicles.

A banner at Sibu Town Square Phase One warning the public on the penalty for littering.

SIBU: The meting-out of heavier compounds against litterbugs has to be strictly enforced to deter such irresponsible acts, said Assistant Minister of Local Government Datu Dr Penguang Manggil.

He said a higher compound was necessary to deter people from littering, including throwing rubbish from their car windows.

“However, I always believe that this punitive measure is the least necessary if we can change and emulate the mindset and attitude of the people.

“In western countries like Switzerland and Norway and many more, keeping the towns and cities clean, as well as conserving and protecting the environment, is a collective responsibility.

“If we are to progress, we must change our third-world mentality in every aspect,” Dr Penguang told The Borneo Post when contacted recently.

Come this July 1, the Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) will increase the compound for those caught littering from RM20 to RM500.

Banners and signboards have been put up at various locations in town to remind the public that littering will be a costly affair.

SMC chairman Datuk Tiong Thai King, during last month’s full council meeting, said he had enough of the never-ending menace of littering.

He pointed out that lenient approaches such as anti-littering campaigns in schools, low compound fees, ‘No Plastic Bag’ policy and others seemed to have a low impact on Sibu folks’ attitude towards littering.

“Therefore, the council has decided to impose a heavier compound fee of RM500 with effect from July 1, 2017 – a stricter and heavier penalty for litterbugs,” Tiong had said then.

He also cautioned that closed-circuit televisions (CCTV) would be used to identify litterbugs, adding that with more stringent punishment and aggressive enforcement, the council hoped that Sibu would always have a clean image.